Samir Nasri retires from International football

Manchester City midfielder Sami Nasri has announced his retirement from international duty with France, saying that the criticism he receives when he plays for France isn’t worth dealing with anymore.

The 27 year old was the highest profile exclusion from manager Didier Deschamps’ squad for the World Cup in Brazil this summer but it came as little surprise to most given the deterioration in the relationship between player and manager.

Deschamps has previously labelled Nasri as a troublemaker within the squad and decided that it was best for the harmony of the team if Nasri wasn’t part of the squad.

Speaking to the Guardian Nasri admitted that whilst he felt Deschamps was part of the problem it wasn’t just him, labelling the press and some of the players as other problems, also hinting that it has been something he has been considering since Euro 2012.

“I’ve made my decision. I was thinking about it in 2012 after the Euros and now it’s just a confirmation of what I was thinking. I have just turned 27 but, let’s face it, let’s be honest, as long as he is going to be the manager I don’t think I have a shot after everything that has happened.

“I will only be 29 in 2016 and will have a chance to play in the European Championship but the French national team doesn’t make me happy. Every time I go there, there is just more trouble.

“I face accusations about me and my family suffers from it and I don’t want to make them suffer, so it’s better to stop it and focus on my club career.”